i didn't manage to meet the 11.30am deadline today...oddly enough, i still feel somewhat satisfied with myself.

my usual perfectionist self would beat me up over such supposed "trivialities".

i guess today started out good, that's why.

as i cut through the blocks and headed to the mrt station, i encountered this old man walking his dog on the stairway. he paused as he descended the first few steps. as i continued to ascend, i noticed that he was pausing for me...to make sure that i could run up the flight of stairs without him and his golden retriever blocking.

that wasn't just it. as i looked up at him, he gave me one of the warmest smiles i've ever seen.

and because of that, no matter how stressed up internally i was, i felt calm and systematic (which hardly ever happens...).

with all the grumpy old men i've encountered in the mornings over the course of the past two weeks, this one changed everything.

if he could smile at a stranger so early in the morning, no one should be able to excuse themself because they "aren't morning people".

i will start smiling at people who meet my eyes from today.

imagine how just one simple gesture can make someone's day.